as in interim
serving in a position for the time being
will serve as acting president of the university until a permanent replacement can be found
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in playing
to present a portrayal or performance of
a local student acted the part of Tiny Tim in our theater company's production of A Christmas Carol
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in working
to produce a desired effect
the painkiller acted surprisingly quickly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in seeming
to give the impression of being
always acting helpless, just to get attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
as in serving
to have a certain purpose
the tail feathers of woodpeckers act as props while the birds excavate tree trunks for insects
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in pretending
to present a false appearance of
if you act confident long enough, you'll begin to actually feel it
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in mocking
to pretend to be (what one is not) in appearance or behavior
someone who is willing to act the helpless little thing when she wants attention
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of acting
Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Not only has the film already received rave reviews ahead of its June 27 release for its deeply personal and captivating storyline and sublime cast and acting, but the independent film is also making history by being entirely self-financed and nationally distributed.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Ben Adler, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Grenell, who previously served as acting Director of National Intelligence under Trump, has remained active in international diplomacy, often focusing on complex negotiations involving detainees and sanctions relief.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Han, 75, formerly the prime minister, stepped in as acting president in December after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial imposition of martial law.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acting
Adjective
The Social Security Administration was under the direction of Michelle King, a career official who had recently been elevated to acting commissioner, when the DOGE representatives began to arrive, in early February.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 June 2025
Not only has the film already received rave reviews ahead of its June 27 release for its deeply personal and captivating storyline and sublime cast and acting, but the independent film is also making history by being entirely self-financed and nationally distributed.
—Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
Verb
In a statement on June 2, Patricia Hyde, acting field director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations’ in Boston defended Gomes da Silva's detention and said the agency intends to pursue deportation proceedings.
—Ben Adler, USA Today, 7 June 2025
Grenell, who previously served as acting Director of National Intelligence under Trump, has remained active in international diplomacy, often focusing on complex negotiations involving detainees and sanctions relief.
—Antonio Maria Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Noun
Former acting Labor Secretary Julie Su will serve on the institute's advisory board.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
Han, 75, formerly the prime minister, stepped in as acting president in December after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial imposition of martial law.
—Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acting
Adjective
-
Poirier claimed the interim crown with a decision win.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Meanwhile, India is expected to sign an interim trade deal with the US in order to protect the South Asian nation’s politically sensitive agricultural exports, the Financial Times reported.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
1 July 2025
Verb
-
Further factions emerge from there, as people start playing the game within the Squid Game, forming pockets of friendships and alliances, real and fake.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
26 Dec. 2024
-
The World Junior tournament is always good for some surprises; a couple of unexpected players emerging as top scorers or playing well in big moments, or a traditional top nation getting upset in the medal round.—
Corey Pronman,
The Athletic,
26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
There have been many examples of that from our first edition up until today with global producers and DJs working with top headliners from Saudi, Egypt, Lebanon and rest of the Arab world.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
27 Dec. 2024
-
The City is Ours This City is Ours is the story of Michael (James Nelson-Joyce), a man who, for all of his adult life, has been involved in organized crime, working for his friend and the gang leader Ronnie (Sean Bean).—
Lily Ford,
The Hollywood Reporter,
27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Step one is converting a Mayfair to their side, with Moira seeming like the easiest target.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
5 Jan. 2025
-
Despite the seeming doom and gloom, many institutions are stepping up to the plate in the face of these challenges, creating more accessible pathways to higher education.—
Susan R. Burns,
New York Daily News,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The school's kitchen and cafeteria are congested with long serving lines, according to the district's website.—
Alec Johnson,
Journal Sentinel,
31 Dec. 2024
-
Shanghai remains the hub for the new model, with the city serving as the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China's center of production, as well as the base for its research and development departments.—
George Monastiriakos,
Newsweek,
31 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
This prompt gives you enough talking points to contribute thoughtfully without pretending to be an expert.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Interspersed in the narrative, there are South Asian folktales about a jackal who is punished for pretending to be a king and a foolish man who puts all his eggs in a basket.—
Malaka Gharib,
NPR,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Bannon talked over and through Newsom’s questions, goading the governor at certain points, gently mocking him at others.—
Gal Beckerman,
The Atlantic,
20 Mar. 2025
-
In the essay, the 37-year-old recalled how Trachtenberg was often bullied by their peers, with kids mocking her for her role in Harriet the Spy.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
All three of our center fielders are gonna be back and healthy and performing this season.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
-
When senior director of player personnel Matt Hogan finds a player on the waiver wire or assistant general manager Gavin Dickey has the latest on a well-performing minor-leaguer, Brown offers the same response.—
Chandler Rome,
The Athletic,
25 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Acting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acting. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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